Washing machine impeller



March 19, 1935.

A. w. ALTORFER 1,994,741

WASHING MACHINE IMPELLER Filed July 19, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet l INYEHIDP WWW- March 19, 1935. w, ALTQRFER 1,994,741

WASHING MACHINE IMPELLER Filed July 19, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 iimn um:-

/ IN'EZ'EHTDR- y W M AIIYE March 19, 1935.

'A, w. ALTORFER 1,994,741

WASHING MACHINE IMPELLER Filed July 19, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 March19, 1935. A. w. ALTORFER WASHING MACHINE IMPELLER Filed July 19, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INYEIQTDR- March 19, 1935. w ALTIQRFER 1,994,741

WASHING MACHINE IMPELLER Filed July 19; 1953 e Sheets-Sheet 5 luvznr UR- Madmhv 1935 A. w. ALTORFER WASHING MACHINE IMPELLER Filed July 19, 1955 6 sheets-Sheet 6 Patented PATENT FFICE i Yf I i WASHING MACHINE rMPnLLER J v 'Alpheus w. mterrehj ee ia, m.

application Jl1ly19, 1e33, SefiaISNO; 681,096

] '1" sol i s. (or. 2 401) This invention relates to washing machine agitator. impellers and the operation thereof to produce a peculiar water action for the purpose :Qf washing clothes.

5 One object of the invention is to provide anagitating impeller having a'formadapted to produce, when the impeller is operated in a washing machine-tub, in the presence of water and" clothing, a peculiar water actionwhich will be Another object i s to provide an impeller which,

whensuitably-o-perated in the presence of water and clothing, will produce a water action capable of thoroughly and uniformly, agitating the cloth- 5 ing in the water to. the end that the clothing will be thoroughly Washed in a minimum of time, at

the expense of a minimum amount of power. A further object is to provide a water action which.will thoroughly'agitate and wash clothing with a minimumwean and damage thereto.

:0 A stillfurtherobject is to provide an impeller,

the action of which, in the presence of. water, will agitate andcirculate the waterin such a manner that clothing placed therein will be eflicientl agitatedtherein withouttangling.

'Yet afurther object is to provide an impeller for washing machines which, when suitably operated in the presence of water and clothing, will produce circulation of water andv agitation of may be quickly. and thoroughlywashed without damage or tangling, F

Otherobjects will appear in ,the followingdescriptionand accompanying drawings in which- Fig. lis a'planflv iew, of 1a washing-machine tub my impeller installed therein;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation view of the tub and impeller as .the same mightbe .viewed from line 2-'-2 in' Fig. 1, showing the general arouate form of the lower portion of the,,tub-', also a inethodfof supporting the impeller the ub. a I uri. (3K5; Fig; 3 is a plan view showing the tub. insection as the'sarne would appear with the lid and drain clothing therein in such a manner that clothingof rectangular form with cover. removed showing:

ring removed shOwin'g'water action to be de- 3 and 5,; showing my impeller as installed ina circular tub, alsowater action to be described;

Fig. is a view similar to that shown in Figs. 4 and"6,'showing the general form of the lower portion of the circular tub together with water action to be described;

Fig. '9 is an end elevational view of my imp l t; Fig.1-10 is a side elevational view of the same;

Fig. 11 is a plan view' of the same; v Fig. 12 is a. plan view of the same as seen from below; i

Fig. 13 is a'se'cti'onal side elevational view of the same taken from line 1313 in Fig. 9;

Figs. 14, 15, 16, 1'7 and '18 are views similar to those shown in Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, showing a slight modification in the form of impeller surfaces to be described.

. The impeller will first be described, but before proceeding with the description, it in order to state that the proportions given are approxi-. mate and. used only to facilitate illustration.

Obviously, they may be altered to a. considerable extent without departure from the general idea of the invention and without appreciable differ- I ence in the operation thereof or results obtained therefrom.

Proceeding with the description, Fig. 11 ,wiuf

indicate that the impellerhas acircular base form, the periphery of which isdesignated as 10,

while the horizontal base line is designated as 11. l

For the purpose of convenient description, the radius of circle 10 divided by'one hundred will :be considered a comparative unit'by which' the proportionate form of the several portions of:

the impeller may be described. i i As indicated in Fig. 9, continuousfarcuate surfaces" 12 are formed and disposed uponeither' side of a diametrical center line of the impeller,

the center of the circles of which surfaces 12 are a part being disposed parallel with each other and with the plane of the base circle 10.

The curvature of surfaces 12 is such as may have a' radius of seventy-eight units, or'seventyeight one-hundredths of the radius of circle 10, about centers disposed ninety units above. base line 11 andninety-three units'either' side of center line of the impeller.

' The upper portion-of surfaces 12 follows vreverse curves as 13, which meet'to form the upper line 14 as shown in Fig, 10, the. general lineof surfaces 12, as viewed in Fig. '10, following a curve 14', having a radius of approximately forty units, to meet a line 14" projected perpendicularly to base line 11, from peripheral line 10.

Disposed upon either extremity of the upper portion of surfaces 12 are extended shoulder or ate thecenter of impeller and point of intersection .of extended lines 14 and 14" already mentioned.

The outer line'of peripheries 15 follows the curve of radius mentioned outwardly and downwardly to a point where a tangential line projected therefrom will meet the lower circle 10 adjacent base line 11 is clearly shown in Fig. 13. I Extending upwardly at the center of the impeller is a tubular column portion 16 which is shown in section in Figs. 2 and 13. Secured within the upper end of column 16 is a bushing member 17 having a rectangular opening,"as shown in Fig. 12.

Secured to the under side of the lower portions of the body of surfaces 12, as shown in Fig. 12, is a spider bracket member 18 having at its center a bossed portion within which an opening 19 is formed.

Reference to Fig. 2 will indicate that any tub, such as 20, may have secured at its bottom center a column member 21, which extends upwardly within the tub to a point above the normal water line, which is here designated as 22.

Rotatably mounted within column 21 is a shaft member 23 having its upper end so formed as to fit within the rectangular opening of bushing 17 of column 16.

Reference to Fig. 2 will indicate that the impeller is adapted to be rotatably supported within tub 20 by means of the column 21, the-lower portion of the impeller being supported by means of the opening 19 of bracket 18 surrounding the lower portion of column .21, the upper portion' retained in suitable alignment by means of the upper end of shaft 23.

For the purpose of illustration, it may be assumed that shaft 23 is connected with driving meansby which the shaft, together with the impeller, is rotated in an oscillatory manner through approximately degrees.

The rotating movement may be arranged to begin at any point and for convenience is here shown as beginning where shoulders 15 are shown in dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 5, the position being designated by A-A'. In operation, the speed of rotation accelerates to a-point midway between positions A and A, which position is shown in solid lines in Figs. 3 and 5, anddesignated B-B. After position BB has been'passed, the

rotational speed decreases to zerogat position A. Reverse movement then begins, following the course just described.

Assuming the impeller to be immersed in water to a depth approximately indicated by line 22 in Fig. 4, when the above described oscillatory rotation takes place, the resulting movementof water will be substantially as follows:

In Figs. 3 and 4 major and minor currents are indicated by arrows, those in Fig. 4 designated as M and E, F and G respectively. It will be clear that the centrifugal action'of the rotating impeller will tend to set up a radial movement of water, the movement being greatest when the impeller is rotatingat its highest speed, which takes place, as already noted, when the impeller wings are passing positions BB. This movement gives rise to the major currents shown'at M. The currents M leaving the impeller are deflected upwardly by the sides of the tub/to ripple the surface of the water. Simultaneously with the described outward and upward flow of water, a replacement fiow near the central column'16 takes place, the overall eifect being, with modifications to be noted; a circulation of water outwardly from the peripheral ends of the impeller, upwardly along the sides of the tub, inwardly at the surface level to center column 16 and downwardly to replace the outflow just men tioned. The foregoing has described the major currents M.

' The current M is modified somewhat by a flow of water which is induced by the scoop-like action of the advancing portions of surfaces 12. A portion of the water thus moved passes rapidly around and adjacent shoulders 15 for replacement at the receding side, which movement will be again referred to, while another portion is induced to fiow upwardly and away from shoulders 15, these currents being indicated by arrows E, F and G in Fig. 9. This vertical'movement is influenced by centrifugal action in such a manner that the water tends to leave the impeller flowing in an upward and outward direction to join,

and be deflected inwardly by, the major stream M as indicated in Fig. 4. I

The foregoing has described the minor currents E, F and G, as modifying, and modified by, the major currents M.

As already noted, the impeller rotates in an oscillatory manner through approximately 180 degrees. Referring to Fig. 3, the point of greatest rotational speed and hence greatest activity of water as recently described, is indicated by solid outline of shoulders 15 and designated B, B,'while the point of stop and reversal is indicated by dotted outline and designated A-A'.

Arrows in Fig. 3 indicate the predominating flow, at the surface, of currents M. 'The peculiar formation indicated is explained as follows:

As already noted, the speed of rotation of the impeller increases from zero at reversing position A-A to maximum at position BB and thence decreases to zero atposition A-A'. Therefore, the activity of currents M and E, F

'and G is greatest in the vicinity of position BB of the impeller and least in vicinity of position AA', the activity at points between the extremes varying approximatelyas the rotational speed of theimpeller.

Due to the described localized activity, four zones of activity are formed'about the impeller,

two lying at opposite sides of the impeller adjacent the line of BB position and having more clearly defined circulation currents as M-E, F,

posed in the corners thereof, however, the location 'of zones is determinedby the line upon which the impeller reverses. In the case of Fig. 3, had the reversing line A--A' passed through the sides of the tub, the zones would have been correspondingly disposed at the sides of the tub.

Fig. 7 will indicate the action as taking place lines A-A and BB, as in the case just described.

The foregoing has described the action of the impeller when immersed in water. I

Clothes suspended in the water tend to modify the described currents somewhat, without, however, appreciably altering the predominating actions or formation and dispositionof zones de-' scribed. I

Arrowsshown in Fig. 6, indicate that, with clothes suspended in the water, the major circulating current M is well vdefined, 'while the formerly described minor current E, F, G, is substantially absent. This modification may be explained as follows: i

Clothes suspended in the water are induced by current M to generally move along the line thereof, as shown; however, the agitative action set up in the vicinity of shoulders 15 tends'to interfere with this more or less orderly movement to such an extent that the clothes, while generally following the line M as described, are induced to pause in the area designated as C, in Fig. 6, where they are subjected to active-agitation, asiwill be later explained. v Y

The presence of clothes in the water altersthe disposition and form of 'thezones of activity described, only'to the extent that the nuclear localizations of the zones of line 3-3 are so modified I as to increase the area'of zones BB somewhat and correspondingly decrease the area of zones A--A', the difierence being indicated by arrows inFigs.3 and 5.. i

Clothes introduced into the water in which the impeller is operating tend to occupy and remain in the zones of line 3-3, with a certain amount of interchange of clothes between zones: However, theoverall action of the impeller, when operating in water containing clothes, is to separate the clothes to cause them to generally occupy the zones of line BB, with a certain amount of interchange as described, and to 'circulateuthe clothes lying'within each zone, generally along the lines M as described.

Referring specifically to the tion takingplace in the area'generally designated as C in Fig. 6, also to'arrows designated E, F and G in Fig. 9, it will be noted that an incidental I water action takes place adjacent the shoulders l5 asfollows: r M

'Assuming the impeller to be rotating in'the direction shown by arrow 24, and passing approximately across the line 3-3, as already noted in connection with Fig. 3, a movement of water is induced as indicated by the arrows-designated E, F and G, wherein a portion of the water displaced by the advancing surface 12 is shown as passing over the surface of shoulder 15 and thence'downwardly adjacent the receding side, as designated by E, while other portions, such as those designated F and G, follow the general direction of current E in progressively widening circular paths.

Obviously, the fiow generally designatedby E, as well as currents F and G, is inducedby displacement on the advancing side, and replaceclothes-water acment on the receding side, of the impeller sur- 'faces12."

In thecase of current water will'tend' to flow from a point on the advancing side toa similar point on the receding'side. V

A unit of water, in following the circuitous route around shoulders 15, will travel a' greater 'distance than an adjacent point on the impeller, hence the velocity of current E, and accompany ing currents F andG, as induced by the raipidly moving impeller, will be comparatively higihl;

It willbe noted that water movement indicated by the arrows'E, F and G, as'shownin-Fi'glf 9,

takes place in the space referred to as c 6 and that this movement, as in Fig. 6, will'approxitrated inFig. 4. I

It willalso be noted that these water'currents flow in a general direction at right angles with the major current l 5 mately correspond 'to the currents E, F, 1G, illus The major stream M,'-being'induce'd by' cen trifugal action'as already explainedfis' urged to flow in the one general dire'ctionindicated, regardless of the direction of rotation of the impeller, while the currents E, F and G are reversed.

as the rotation of the'impeller is'reve'rsed. Thus the current M receives. twoimpulses'in the same direction at each cycle of operation of theimpeller, while currents E, F, G, receive 1 one impulse in each direction duringthe said cycle;

.- It will be quite apparent that the water movements described, as set up andmainta'inedby a rapidly moving impeller, each current modifying and modified by the others, will be highly a itative. Y

Materials suspended in? the'water, especially those'occupying the area C, Fig. 6, will be induced by currents E, F and G to follow the general directionthereof', which movement will tend to rapidly fiex the body of the materials in such a manner as to expose all sides of the threads and fibres'of the materials to the actionof the rapidly moving surrounding water. a

Ithas already been noted that clothing suspended in water in atubin. whichmy impeller -op'erates, tends to movein the general line of current 'M and to pause in the area generally :designated by C,1where it is subjected to the action of currents E, F and G, as more recently described. 7

It will be apparent that the described impeller and water. action produced thereby" forms ahighly efiicientwashing means. I

Reference will now be made to Figs. 1i, 15, 16," 1'7 and 18 whereinis shown a modification of my impeller; e

The several views will indicate that surfaces l2 may have formed therein a plurality of rib-.- like protruding portionsas 23, in the higher. por-'- tion of'which perforations 24 are provided, substantially as shown, the'perforations communieating between the outer and inner portions of the impellers p 'In operation, the movement of the impeller as fnodified, causes an additional agitation of water in the vicinity of surfaces 12, which agitation is caused by the fiow of a certain amount of water in either direction through the perforations 24, also, clothing coming in contact with'ribs 23 are subjected to a certain amount of washboard action.

What I claim is:

1. An impeller. having a circular base form, a central portion extending upwardly perpendicular thereto, parallel facial surfaces disposed facial surfaces of which portions of comparatively small dimensions connecting the upper parts of the aforementioned parallel surfaces to form blunt ridges extending radiallyfrom opposite sides of said central portion to the peripheral line of said base portion, the ridges lying parallel with the base portion and disposed substantially above the latter shoulder portions disposed upon the outer portions of said ridges and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom each beginning at a point intermediate the central portion and outer ends thereof and continuing toward and around the outer ends to a point between the base and line of said ridge, said shoulder portions having a rounded cross-sectional form of dimensions somewhat larger than those of said ridges 2. An impeller as set forth in claim 1 having a hollow shell-like construction, the interior surfaces having contour similar to the external surfaces.

3. An impeller as set forth in claim 1, the said are provided with a plurality of elongated raised rib-like portions 'disposed circumferentiallyupon said surfaces the ribs having plural perforations, the perforations forming orifices communicating between the exterior and interior surfaces of the walls of said facial surfaces.

4. An impeller having a circular base form from opposite edges of which arcuate facial surfaces extend inwardly and upwardly toward a dlametrical line of said base, said surfaces being joined at their upper extremities in such a manner that the joining portions form ridges, which iii) ridges, together with said facial surfaces form wing-like portionsextending radially upon opposite sides of the axial center of the circular base,

the ridges being disposed at a point substantially above the said base, rounded shoulder portions of dimensions somewhat larger than those of the ridges, disposed thereupon and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom beginning at a point intermediate the axial center line of the base and outer extremity of the ridges, continuing therefrom toward and about said extremities to a point substantially below the ridges, the impeller adapted to be immersed in fluid contained in a tub with the base portion of the impeller paralleling the bottom of the tub and to be rotated therein upon its axial center in an oscillatory manner through approximately 180 degrees, the described formof impeller, when so rotated, adapted to induce about either of the wing portions thereof, in vicinity of the reversing. point of the impeller, turbulent, heterogeneous currents in the fluid and in the vicinity intermediate the reversing point, currents flowing radially outwardly from the described wing Portions upwardly along the sides of the tub and inwardly toward the center of the impeller above the wing portions, currents flowing rmwardly along the advancing side of the said facial surfaces a portion thereof flowing circuit-- tation of the impeller, said upwardly flowingcurrents moving upwardly from opposite sides of said facial surfaces according to direction of rotation of the impeller, said circuitously flowing portions thereof moving in reverse directions as the direction of rotation of the impeller reverses, and substantially at right angles with said radially flowing currents a portion of the upwardly flowing currents joining and mingling with the radially flowing currents in the area above the wing portions. v

5. An impeller as set forth in claim 4 having a hollow, shell-like construction, the interior surfaces having contour similar to the external surfaces.

6. An impeller as set forth in claim 1, the said arcuate facial surfaces of which are provided with a plurality of elongated raised rib-like portions disposed circumferentially upon said surfaces, the ribs having plural perforations, the perforations forming orifices through which fluid may flow between the exterior and interior portions: of the impeller body.

7. An impeller having a circular base form, a

central stem portion extending upwardly perpen dicular thereto, facial surfaces disposed upon opposite sides of said stem portion ea'ch formed mentioned surfaces to form blunt ridge por-= tions extending radially from opposite sides of said stem' portion to the peripheral line of said base portion, the ridges lying parallel with the base portion and disposed substantially above the latter.

8. A washing machine impeller having a form produced by a cylinder having diameter equal to or less than its height, opposite walls of which are intersected by oppositely disposed concave surfaces formed about center lines lying parallel to each other and disposed on opposite sides of the axial center of the cylinder, a substantial distance therefrom, and parallel with the base plane thereof, the relative position of the aforementioned centers being such that said concave surfaces extend inwardly and upwardly from opposite sides of the lower portion of the cylinder to a point adjacent a diametrical line of the cylinder the upper edges of said concave surfaces being joined,by an oppositely curvedsurface to form an. elevated ridge across the cylinder and a vertical stem extending upwardly from the center of said ridge.

ALPHEUS W. ALTORFER. 

